The Nose Knows: Developing Advanced Chemical Sensors for the Remote Detection of Improvised Explosive Devices in 2030
Abstract
Explosive detection sensor micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped to identify the presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and communicate their locations to commanders will significantly decrease military and civilian casualties in an unconventional warfare environment of 2030. The forecasting methods used for this paper are environmental scanning and genius. The Department of Homeland Security is encouraging research in Low Vapor Pressure Chemical Detection System (LVPCDS) programs to develop, field-test, and transition systems required to effectively detect high explosive residues and toxic low vapor pressure compounds. The LVPCDS program will assist DHS' goals of developing enhancements to existing detection components and systems, developing new components and systems, as well as creating next generation systems. Proposed short range systems will be fully autonomous, portable and able to rapidly detect low vapor pressure chemicals from 3 meters or less without contacting the contaminated surface. ICx Nomadics Inc and GE have both demonstrated with their differing technologies that TNT can be detected in the vapor phase from a standoff distance of between 1 to 3 meters using sensors with sensitivity in the parts per trillion ranges. In order to detect low vapor pressure agents at the same distance as TNT can be detected currently, sensors may require sensitivity to the parts per quadrillion to quintillion (10.0 E 12- 10.0 E 15) ranges. With this capability, sensors may be able to detect TNT from a standoff distance of 6-9 meters. A realistic vision of a 20-year future has fielded U.S. forces able to see a complete picture in their normal field of view including objects hidden or obscured by terrain, fog, and other structures. Next generations of emerging sensors will be capable of generating and communicating large amounts of data. The sens
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA539918
Entities
People
- Julie V. Guill
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College